Day 4 ~ Proving Your Faith

Day 4 ~ Forty Days with God

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. For human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, rid yourselves of everything impure and every expression of wickedness, and with a gentle spirit welcome the word planted in you that can save your souls. James 1: 19-21(ISV)

In verse 18, the Apostle said, born again Christians are the first fruits of all God has created. We’re supposed to be examples for everyone else. In order to accomplish this I must develop a gentle and humble spirit. On my own that’s not likely to happen but through God’s word, and my willingness to be free of anger, fear and every expression of wickedness, the Holy Spirit will transform me from the inside out.

 Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves. For if anyone hears the word but is not obedient to it, he is like a man who looks at himself in a mirror and studies himself carefully, and then goes off and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it, thereby demonstrating that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what that law requires, will be blessed in what he does.  (Verses 22-25)

A commitment on the part of the believer is necessary in order to be obedient to the God’s Word. The KJV uses the phrase “continueth herein,” which means to stay near, remain, be permanent, persevere. The only way we can figure out how to live out here and not get sidetracked is through the word. Reading, studying and meditating on it consistently is what empowers us to live in obedience, to show our faith by our works and as a result be blessed in all we do.

If anyone thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but instead deceives himself, his religion is worthless. A religion that is pure and stainless according to God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (Verse 26-27)

 Jesus said what comes out of the mouth is what defiles a person. A person living what they believe is a Godly life and they can’t control my tongue is deceiving themselves. We show a religion that means nothing if we are putting others down, spreading gossip, or worse using God’s word to tear  into another person. Love, mercy and compassion is what we have received and those are the qualities we should give.

Next: Day 5 | Faith That Acts | James 2:14-20

Be Blessed!